Penang’s cloud seeding delayed for maximum impact

GEORGE TOWN: The cloud seeding operations by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at the Teluk Bahang Dam and Air Itam Dam here have been rescheduled to early May.

Penang Water Supply Corp (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the main rationale behind this move was to maximise the potential for heavy rain by carrying out cloud seeding operations only when the weather conditions are optimal.

“The rescheduling of the cloud seeding operation is based on the recommendation of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) for it be held in early May when the weather conditions are optimal as large rain clouds are predicted to appear at the right height.

“It is also based on weather conditions and the target areas of the operations at Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam. We fully support this result-oriented approach,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Previously, PBAPP said that the cloud seeding operation was expected to be carried out from April 29 to May 7 to induce heavy rainfall.

Pathmanathan said the RMAF aircraft carrying out cloud seeding operations in May would take off from the RMAF Subang Air Base in Selangor with a PBAPP engineer on board to witness each mission in Penang, Bernama reported.

He said PBAPP would also monitor the results of the cloud seeding operation by recording rainfall in the targeted catchment areas and the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam and the Teluk Bahang Dam after the operation is completed.

“Depending on the results, the state government and PBAPP may apply for more cloud seeding operations this year and we also appreciate the support of the National Disaster Management Agency, RMAF, MetMalaysia and the state Water Regulatory Authority in organising and speeding up the cloud seeding operation for Penang,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said as on Saturday, the Ayer Itam Dam recorded a level of 43.6% compared with 82% on Jan 1 while the Teluk Bahang Dam was at 49.1% compared with 64% previously. Both were down due to the lack of rainfall in the catchment areas.

“The prolonged dry season (related to climate change) and the high demand for water in Penang since the beginning of January are the main causes,” he said.

He added that the dams needed to be refilled with as much water as possible to prevent a potential water supply crisis in Penang before the next rainy season.